Chapter 18: Fire and Flames

Andrew and I ran through the forest over to the sides of Lemongrass and the boy. The haze of smoke was growing steadily thicker, and the crackle of fire was loud.

''Quick, find a dry branch and lift,'' I told Andrew desperately.

We both located safe limbs to hold and then pulled upwards with all our might. I strained to move the trunk enough for the boy to get free. The heat was intense and I could feel my back soaked with sweat.

At last the tree budged from its position and Lemongrass yelled at the other tribute while she pulled his arm to help him. He struggled helplessly for a moment and I could feel my grip slipping right before he successfully freed himself.

With a gasp, Andrew and I let go and stumbled over to Lemongrass and the boy. She was dragging him to his feet and Andrew rushed over to help support him on his weak legs. The boy had begun to cough violently.

''This way!,'' I shouted hoarsely, my throat beginning to sear with smoke. I motioned them to follow me back the way we had come; the rest of the area was catching fire. Lemongrass and Andrew began dragging the boy through the undergrowth as glowing embers landed on our jackets and heads and sizzled out. My eyes burned and watered so that it was hard to see.

''Watch out!,'' Lemongrass yelled from behind and I veered away just in time to miss a flaming limb that fell from above. I looked up in horror as I ran to see the fire jumping from the top of pine tree to pine tree.

We crashed through the forest, headless of direction. I looked backwards to see the others falling behind, Lemongrass looked exhausted. Without a word, I went to her side and took her place in supporting the boy. She gave me a quick look before taking the lead to guide us away from the wildfire.

I bit my lip to keep from crying out as the little embers fell on my head. No one could have heard me anyway, the roar of the fire was deafening. The searing heat was nearly unbearable. I had never been more terrified in my life; my heart was beating out of control.

Suddenly, we burst into a small clearing with a stretch of obstacle-free ground. My legs and arms were burning with exhaustion, but somehow we were able to pick up a bit of speed over the open space.

Then, without warning, a blast of wind tore over us and knocked us backwards. We flew to the ground and instinctively covered our faces and curled up as the air shot past us, scratching our bodies with sand and debris. I squinted over my shoulder to see the wind beat the fire back and blow the flames out. The seconds seemed to last forever as we were buffeted.

Then, finally, it was over. The absolute silence left my ears ringing painfully as I lay there, rasping to recover my breath. My chest hurt to move and every muscle screamed out. I couldn't move and I didn't want to.

As the ringing subsided and my breathing grew steadier, I painfully lifted my head to see the others. They were curled up in similar positions and had begun to catch their breath as well, with a rough cough here and there. I lay back down and closed my eyes. My nerves were still trembling with the near death experience.

''Shae,'' I heard Andrew cough from the other side of the boy.

''Here,'' I rasped dryly. My voice was barely more than a whisper. I clenched my teeth and dragged myself forward to see Andrew. His face was smeared with soot and blood trickled down from a cut above his eye.

''That was really close,'' I said roughly, barely managing a faint smile.

Andrew nodded with his own small, relieved smile and put out his arm. I took his hand and gave it a brief squeeze, my own relief coming slowly.

After a few more minutes of peace, I strained to sit up and gain my bearings. A few yards in front of us, Lemongrass was sitting up too. We seemed to be near the aspen grove, because I could just make out their white trunks through the woods to our left. That meant that the stream was within walking distance.

''Thank you,'' said Lemongrass. ''We wouldn't have made it out of there without you.''

''You're welcome,'' Andrew nodded, sitting up as well.

''How did you guys get caught in that?,'' I asked as I brushed off my pants.

''I don't know,'' admitted Lemongrass. ''We were just walking when the fire burst out of nowhere. The trees were falling everywhere and Jonathon didn't see one… That's when you came. We used to have a whole stash of stuff, but now all we have is his sword.'' She pointed to Jonathon and I noticed the sheath tied to his back for the first time. ''And I left my spear.''

''What happened to the stash?,'' Andrew ventured.

''Someone took it. Our ally Evan was guarding it while we were out foraging, and they killed him,'' Lemongrass explained softly.

My stomach clenched and Andrew and I exchanged a glance. I had done that, it was my fault. I would have to tell her, even if I felt sick.

''I did that,'' I whispered.

''What?,'' Lemongrass said, her eyes growing big and a glint of fear flashing in them.

''I - I didn't mean to,'' I stammered. ''I found your cache by accident and he attacked me. I ran down a hill and he tripped and started rolling…'' my voice drifted off and I pulled my knees up to my chin, not wanting to say the rest of the story. Lemongrass understood though. She looked away and wiped her eyes.

Suddenly, Jonathon started coughing violently. Instantly we tried to sit him up, and it seemed to help a bit. I winced though at the deep, cracked sound of the coughs until Jonathon finally gained control. When he tried to speak, only a faint whisper came out. His breathing was heavy and labored.

''We need to find water,'' announced Lemongrass. ''He's breathed in too much smoke.''

Secretly I wondered if anything would really help him now, but I said nothing, and instead Andrew and I helped the boy to his feet and started walking toward the aspen grove. Lemongrass followed behind, alert for any sign of danger. Jonathon's coughing spells would've alerted anyone in the near vicinity to our presence there.

However, nothing happened. We reached the stream and grateful gulped down water and used it to clean ourselves. Then we returned to the hollow and settled down, exhausted. Even Jonathon's coughing didn't bother me as I lay down between Andrew and Lemongrass and closed my eyes.


The next day I woke up early with the morning light filtering down through the roof. I lifted my head slightly and scanned the hollow; everything was peaceful. Lemongrass was sleeping soundly against my side, and Andrew was leaning on my shoulder. His hand was clasped warmly around mine and his breathing came steadily.

Wait a second, I thought. Something wasn't right. It was too peaceful. Too… too… Then it hit me. Quiet! Jonathon's raspy breathing and coughing was gone!

I sat up and leaned over Andrew to see the boy. He was deathly still. I reached over and checked his pulse. Noting.

''Guys, wake up,'' I said, my voice cracking. Andrew and Lemongrass opened their eyes sleepily. ''Jonathon is dead.''